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VDOT proudly revealed Wednesday that the Fishersville-based firm is wrapping up a nearly $1.8 million set of repairs that had closed the bridge carrying U.S. 250 over the Buckingham Branch/CSX railroad tracks. Unavailable since May 1, the bridge will reopen on Friday the 15th, more than three weeks ahead of schedule.

Advance work that started last fall was conducted outside the travel lanes to minimize the disruption. Such work included newly-cast parapets and deck sections, efforts to minimize the down-time.

Although located in Albemarle County, the bridge has been of great interest in the City of Charlottesville because VDOT chose to save it. Meanwhile, Charlottesville officials– who control infrastructure within the city limits– have chosen to replace their much newer Belmont Bridge. The Shadwell bridge was built in 1939; the Belmont Bridge in 1962.

VDOT says that the formerly weight-restricted structure is now safe for all vehicles including school buses and emergency vehicles. Motorists can resume their old route across it after 9am Friday.

6 comments

I wish every GOVERNMENT project was finished ahead of schedule. Kudos to VDOT and Fairfield-Echols LLC.

G June 14th, 2012 | 8:54am

Apparently they aren't _actively_ trying to kill off the winery at 22/250.

Too bad for Wayside...

bill marshall June 14th, 2012 | 9:10am

So does this mean that the city blamng the jpa bridgework on an uncooperative riairoad is BS?

I don't know why people tolerare such an inneffective city government.

DirtKicker June 14th, 2012 | 10:05am

G, are you saying that the city is ACTIVELY trying to kill off the businesses like wayside and a barber shop? I find that kinda hard to believe....I think the blame goes towards the city because the beaurocratic engine that is the City of Charlottesville is content with spending two years fixing the bridge, and VDOT isn't content with that.